Ottawa, ON-based bluegrass band, The Gladsome Gentlemen are set to play Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival on June 23 at 6:30 pm.
Watch their video for “Robbie Burns Day” below and learn more about The Gladsome Gentlemen via our Dragon Boat Festival interview segment.
First off, care to introduce yourself to our readers?
Of course, we are The Gladsome Gentlemen, Ottawa’s happiest bluegrass band! The band is: Trevor Lubin (mandolin, vocals) Dylan Watts (guitar), Duncan Reitboeck (upright bass) and myself, Joe McDonald (Guitar, vocals). We play progressive bluegrass and mainly focus on tunes that either myself or Trevor have written.
Tell us a bit about your latest release.
We are currently in pre-production of an album. At any of our live shows you will be able to hear the original material that we have been working up for about a year now.
You will be playing at Tim Horton’s Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival. Is this your first time performing at this festival?
This is our first time playing the festival and we are super excited to be taking part this year!
For someone who has yet to see you perform live, describe your performance in 3 words.
Wholesome, Upbeat, Gladsome
With a full-Canadian lineup, who are you looking forward to checking out during the festival?
Trevor and I went to high school with Sister Swire. I am excited to see her play.
Beyond The Pale and Side Hustle Sodas will be at the festival, along with 14 different food trucks. What is your favourite treat to enjoy at festivals?
I don’t like to eat or drink much before a show, but afterward, I’ll certainly be on the lookout for a beavertail. Or possibly a nice refreshing smoothie to have in the sunshine.
Do you have any other upcoming shows or festivals to tell us about?
The next big one will be Bluesfest. We play on July 15 at 6 pm. We are billed as Joe McDonald, but these are the fellas I will be bringing with me for my set.